Method and apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

Blocks of cigarettes are assembled by feeding cigarettes sideways from one or more rod cigarette machines to a collecting station where the cigarettes are assembled into rows of equidistant cigarettes and are thereupon transferred to a subdividing station provided with means for breaking up each row into several layers by moving portions of a row in directions at right angles to the axes of cigarettes. The resulting layers are moved axially to a stacking station where they form blocks consisting of two or more superimposed layers of cigarettes.

O United States Patent l 13,567,004

[72] Inventors geterbHessL hb [50] Field of Search 198/20 (C),

flmurg-o s 31A, Bernhard Schubert, New-Bornsenu; 2) 34 35,53/148236(Inqulred) Dietrich Bardenhagen, Hamburg- References Cited 2 1 A INgillsllzgiggge, Germany UNITED STATES PATENTS l 1 PP- t 44 81 [22] FiledJuly 15,1968 3,4 ,9 5/1969 Schubert 198/31(A2) [45] Patented Man 2, 1971Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka [73] Assignee Hauni-Werke,Korber&Co.KG;"ey M1chae1s' Striker Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany 32] Priority July20,1967 [33] Germany "63330 ABSTRACT: Blocks of ci arettes are assembledby feedin {54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLOCKS OF CIGARETTES ORTHE LIKE cigarettes sideways from one or more rod cigarette machines toa collecting station where the cigarettes are assembled into rows ofequidistant cigarettes and are thereupon transferred to a subdividingstation provided with means for breaking up each row into several layersby moving portions of a row in directions at right angles to the axes ofcigarettes. The resulting layers are moved axially to a stacking stationwhere they form blocks consisting of two or more superimposed layers ofcigarettes.

PATENTEDHAR 21911 3,5 7,004

SHEET 1 0F 6 INVENTURS Peru-n Hess ncnmmn a 5mm car (Herman I men mamaBy 0721 4 S-SEu'AeI- ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLOCKS OFCIGARETTES OR THE LIKE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Thepresent invention relates to improvements and further developments inmethods and apparatus disclosed in the copending applications Ser. Nos.501, 769, (filed Oct. 22, 1965 by Bardenhagen et al. now U.S. Pat. No.3,448,846 granted Jun. 10, 1969); 559,538, (filed Jun. 22, 1966 bySchubert, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,981 granted May 20, 1969), 631,504(filed Apr. 17, 1967 by Schubert et al. and now abandoned, 632, 084,filed Apr. 19, 1967 by. Schubert et al. All of said copendingapplications are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method andapparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shapedarticles. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements inthe method and apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned copendingapplication Ser. No. 501,769 of Bardenhagen et al.

The application Ser. No. 501,769 of Bardenhagen et a]. discloses anapparatus wherein a collecting conveyor removes from a feed conveyorrows of cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles so that each rowcontains a predetermined number of articles which are heldside by side.A transfer member then moves the rows axially of the articles and a longa subdividing device which convertseach travelling row into a series oflayers. The thus obtained layers are then introduced into the cells ofan intermittently advancing receiving conveyor wherein the layers formblocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the objects of our invention is toprovide a method according to which larger groups of cigarettes oranalogous rod-shaped articles can be broken up into smaller groups in anovel and improved way without any damage to articles, in a small areaand at a rate which suffices to receive and process the output of one ormore modern high-speed rod cigarette machines or other makers ofrod-shaped articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may beutilized in the practice of the just outlined method and wherein largegroups of rod-like articles are converted into smaller groups in a novelway.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact, high-speed,reliable, fully automatic and relatively simple apparatus which canaccept the output of one or more rod cigarette machines, which canconvert articles issuing from such machines into layers, and which canassemble such layers into blocks or arrays ready to be introduced intoone or more packing machines without necessitating any further arrayingof cigarettes in the packing machine proper.

An additional object of the invention is to, provide the apparatus withnovel means for converting long rows of equidistant cigarettes or likerod-shaped articles into shorter rows or layers in such a way that theconversion of long rows into layers takes place in a small area, withoutany damage to or deformation of articles, at a high rate of speed, andin such a way that the blocks which are assembled of layers can retaintheir shape all the way to the point or points of introduction intoenvelopes or boxes.

One feature of our invention resides in the provision of a method offorming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rodshaped articles whichcomprises the steps of assembling rodshaped articles into a successionof first groups of parallel articles at a first or collecting station,moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to asecond or subdividing station, subdividing the first groups at thesecond station into a plurality'of second groups by moving portions ofeach first group substantially at right angles to the longitudinaldirection of the articles, transferring the second groups to a third orstacking station b moving the articles lengthwise, and assembling thesecond groups at the third station into blocks each of which contains atleast two second groups obtained on subdivision of successive firstgroups. The first groups preferably consist of rows of parallelequidistant articles and the subdividing step preferably comprisesmoving the articles of such rows sideways away from a point which islocated substantially midway between the outermost articles of therespective row.

If the blocks of articles contain second groups wherein the articles ofat least one second group are staggered with reference to articles inthe other second group or groups, the method comprises the additionalstep of staggering the second groups obtained on subdivision of each nth(for example, each third).first group with reference to the secondgroups obtained on subdivision of each other first group by moving thecorresponding articles sideways by a distance approximating the radiusof an article. This additional step can be resorted to in the assemblyof customary blocks of 20 cigarettes each wherein a median layer of sixcigarettes is disposed between two outer layers of seven cigarettes eachand wherein the cigarettes of the median layer are staggered withreference to cigarettes in the outer layers.

It is preferred to transfer second groups from the second stationsimultaneously with movement of first groups from the first to thesecond station.

In accordance with another feature of our invention, cigarettes oranalogous rod-shaped articles are fed sideways by a feed on to a firstor collecting station where the articles are assembled into a successionof first groups or rows of parallel equidistant articles. The assemblingstep comprises forming first rows of greater width between spaced firstand second portions of the collecting station and forming second rows oflesser width midway between the first and second portions of thecollecting station so that the articles forming a row of lesser widthoccupy the central part of the area occupied by articles which areassembled to form a row of greater width. This facilitates thesubdivision of rows into second groups or layers which are thereuponadvanced to the stacking station.

In the formation of blocks consisting of 20 cigarettes, the assembly ofa row of lesser width normally follows the assembly BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view ofan apparatus which embodies one form of our invention and which isutilized to assemble blocks consisting of two layers of seven cigaretteseach;

FIG. 2 is a larger-scale transverse vertical sectional view as seen inthe direction of arrows from the line "-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic partly rear elevational and partlysectional view of a second apparatus which is utilized to assembleblocks each of which consists of three layers of cigarettes; I

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of certain parts of the secondapparatus as seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a complete side elevational view of the second apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view as seen in thedirection ofthe arrow VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line VIII-Vlll of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional viewof the front end portion of a pneumatic collecting device which isutilized in the second apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the directionof arrows from the line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional viewof the rear end portion of the collecting device;

FIG. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the directionof arrows from the line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view asseen in the direction of arrows from the line XIII-XIII of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen in thedirection of arrows from the line XV-XV of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view as seen in thedirection of the arrow XVI in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratecertain essential components of an apparatus which is employed toassemble cigarettes into blocks each of which contains 14 cigarettesdisposed in two superimposed layers or groups of seven cigarettes each.The apparatus comprises a supply conveyor or feed conveyor including anendless belt 1 which receives cigarettes 6 from one or more rodcigarette machines (not shown) and transports the cigarettes sideways toa transfer zone where the cigarettes enter successive flutes 9 of anendless band 2a forming part of a collecting device or'conveyor 2. Thiscollecting conveyor 2 is installed at a first or collecting station andserves to assemble cigarettes 6 into large groups or rows of 70cigarettes each and to deliver successively assembled rows to a secondor subdividing station accommodating a subdividing unit which comprisesarticle-supporting members 3(hereinafter called platforms for short).The platforms 3 are movable toward and away from each other (i.e., indirections to the right and to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1) so thatthey break or subdivide a row or large group into l0 layers or smallergroups of seven cigarettes each. A transfer member 4, here shown as ahorizontally reciprocable plunger or pusher, is provided to remove thelayers or smaller groups from the flutes 35 of the platforms 3 and tomove the cigarettes 6 axially into the cells 38 of a receiving conveyor37 which is advanced stepwise through a third or stacking station.

The upper stretch of the belt 1 is arranged to travel below a platelikecover 5 and forms therewith an elongated tunnel wherein the cigarettes 6move sideways toward a bridge 7 which strips the cigarettes off theupper stretch of the belt 1 and cooperates with a hingedly mountedcondensing member 8 to form a series of closely adjacent cigaretteswhich enter successive flutes 9 of the band 2a.

The inner side of the band 2a is provided with two parallel rows ofteeth 11, 12. The collecting conveyor 2 further comprises two drums 13,14 which are respectively mounted on shafts 19, 21 and respectivelycomprise two sprocket wheels 15, 16 and 17, 18. The teeth of the wheels15, 17 and 16,18 respectively mesh with the teeth 11 and 12 of the band2a and at least one of the shafts 19, 21 is driven at intervals toadvance the band by increments of predetermined length so that the bandaccepts from the bridge 7 a row of 70 cigarettes during each intervalwhen the drums l3, l4 rotate. The drive for the wheel 13 and/or 14 canderive motion from the rod cigarette machine or machines and the detailsof its construction form no part of the present invention. Thecollecting conveyor 2 further comprises two stationary suction chambers22, 23 which are mounted between the teeth l1, l2 and are respectivelylocated below the upper stretch of the band 2a and above the lowerstretch of this band. The upper side of the chamber 22 is open so thatit can evacuate air from adjoining flutes 9 by way of suction ports 24which are provided in the band 2a, there being three suction ports 24for each flute 9. The underside of the suction chamber 23 is also openso that this chamber can evacuate air from the adjoining flutes 9 by wayof the respective ports 24. The suction chamber 22 extends from thebridge 7, along the upper stretch of the band 2a and along the left-handend turn of this band all the way to the leftmost platform 3. The lengthof the suction chamber 23 approximates the combined width of flutes 35.The means for evacuating air from the suction chamber 22 comprises a fanor an analogous suction-generating device 29, a first suction conduit 26connected to the suction chamber 22, a second suction conduit 28connected to the suction side of the fan 29, and a solenoid-operatedvalve 27 which can establish or terminate communication between theconduits 26, 28. The means for evacuating air from the lower suctionchamber 23 comprises a second fan 34, a first suction conduit 31connected to the suction chamber 23, a second suction conduit 33connected to the fan 34, and a solenoid-operated valve 32 which canestablish or terminate communication between the conduits 31, 33.

The top face of each platform 3 is formed with seven parallel flutes 35and each of these platforms is connected to a motion-transmitting member36 forming part of a displacing unit which serves to move the respectiveplatform toward or away from the adjoining platform or platforms. Theflutes 35 are parallel to the flutes 9. The receiving conveyor 37includes an endless chain which is trained over suitable sprocket wheels1 (not shown) and carries a series of cells 38 each of which canaccommodate two layers or smaller groups of cigarettes 6 in such a waythat one of the layers overlies the other layer. The sprocket wheelswhich drive the conveyor 37 preferably derive motion from the drums 13,14 of the collecting conveyor 2 are and are arranged to advance theconveyor 37 intermittently, namely, in response to each secondintermittent advance of the band 2a. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottomplates 38a of the cells 38 are disposed at a level below the flutes 35of the platforms 3 so that the first layer of cigarettes 6 in the cellswhich register with the platforms 3 cannot interfere with transfer ofthe next-following second layer. A similar receiving conveyor is shownin the aforementioned copending application Ser No. 501,769 ofBardenhagen et al.

The operation is as follows:

The upper stretch of the belt 1 advances a succession of cigarettes 6sideways whereby the cigarettes travel in the tunnel below the cover 5and are caused to move close to each other during travel above thebridge 7. The cigarettes in the tunnel above the belt 1 may but need notbe equidistant from each other; for example, certain cigarettes can beseparated by gaps which develop in response to removal of defectivecigarettes at a testing station (not shown) which is normally providedin or downstream of the cigarette machine. When the band 2a is inmotion, the flutes 9 along its upper stretch receive successivecigarettes from the bridge 7 and the upper stretch thus accumulates alarge group or row of 70 cigarettes. At the same time, the lower stretchof the band 2a moves 70 cigarettes into registry with the flutes 35 ofthe platforms 3 which are then maintained in positions shown in FIG. 1,i.e., the flutes of each intermediate platform 3 are immediatelyadjacent to the outermost flutes of adjoining platforms so that eachflute 35 registers with one flute 9 along the lower stretch of band 2awhen the collecting conveyor 2 comes to a standstill subsequent toreceiving 70 cigarettes from the supply conveyor. When the conveyor 2comes to a halt, the valve 32 is caused to disconnect the suctionconduits 31, 33 from each other and to connect the conduit 31 with theatmosphere, i.e., suction in the lower suction chamber 23 collapses anda complete layer of 70 cigarettes descends by gravity to come to rest inthe registering flutes 35. The valve 32 is thereupon caused to connectthe conduit 31 with the conduit 33 and the collecting conveyor 2 is setin motion to accept 70 cigarettes from the bridge 7 and to deliver afresh row of 70 cigarettes into the space between the platforms 3 andsuction chamber 23. During such movement of the conveyor 2, themotiontransmitting members 36 of the displacing unit cause the platforms3 to move apart so that the width of gaps between the thus displacedplatforms equals or closely approximates the distance between thecompartments of successive cells 38 on imaginary central verticalsymmetry plane of the subdividing unit, namely, from a plane whichextends between the two centrally located (fifth and sixth) platforms.

The transfer member 4 is caused to return to retracted position (shownin FIG. 2) as soon as it completes the transfer of layers into theregistering cells 38. At the same time, the motion-transmitting members36 cause the platforms 3 to move toward each other and to reassume thepositions shown in FIG. 1 so that their flutes 35 register with 70flutes 9 along the lower stretch of the band 2a with the conveyor 2comes to a standstill. The same operation is then repeated again wherebythe cells 38 which register with the platforms 3 receive second layersof seven cigarettes each before the conveyor 37 advances by a step toplace 10 empty cells 38 into registry with the platforms. It will beseen that each of the cells 38 which register with the platforms 3ultimately accommodates a block consisting of two layers of sevencigarettes each before the conveyor 37 is caused to advance by a stepSuch blocks are then transferred into a suitable magazine or into apacking machine (not shown) to be provided with one or more wrappers ofpaper, cardboard, metallic foil, plastic or the like.

It will be seen that the displacing unit including themotiontransmitting members 36 moves the platforms 3 in such a way thatthe layers in the flutes 35 move away from each other and from a pointlocated midway between the outermost cigarettes 6 of a row which isdelivered to the subdividing station. It will further be noted that thepusher 4 transfers 10 layers of cigarettes 6 from the subdividingstation to the stacking station while the collecting conveyor 2transports a row of 70 cigarettes to the collecting station.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are illustrated certain essentialcomponents of a second apparatus which can be utilized to assembleblocks of cigarettes each and wherein each such block comprises two twoouter layers or smaller groups of seven cigarettes each and a medianlayer or smaller group of six cigarettes, the cigarettes of the medianlayer being staggered with reference to the cigarettes in the outerlayers. This is the customary distribution of cigarettes in cigarette Ipacks.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a supply conveyor or feedconveyor including two endless belts 51 which are disposed in twoparallel vertical planes extending at right angles to the plane of FIG.3 and are trained over rollers 56 (only one shown). The collectingdevice of this apparatus comprises an elongated suction head 52 of thetype disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,190,459 to Kochalski etal. which is assigned to the same assignee. The subdividing unitcomprises 12 supporting members each of which includes a platform 53.The transfer unit comprises a pusher 54 which is articulately supportedby the suction head 52, and thereceiving conveyor comprises a series ofchargers or trays 55 (only one shown) which are provided with horizontalrows of compartments 74, each such row comprising 12 compartments sothat each compartment of a row can register with one of the platforms53. l

The roller 56 is driven to move the belts 51 continuously whereby theupper stretches of these belts advance a layer of randomly distributedcigarettes 60 sideways toward the front end portion of the suction head52. The latter is assembled of ;8 stack of 84 vertical sections orpanels 57 each having a flute 58 in its lower end face. The sections orpanels 57 are formed with channels and suction ports, and their channelsare con- ,nected to a suction conduit 59 in a manner to be fullydescribed in connection with FIGS. 5 to 16. It suffices to say that theflutes 58 can receive from the belts 51 rows or large groups of 84 and72 cigarettes each whereby the transfer of cigarettes from the belts 51into the flutes 58 takes place in a direction from the left-hand endtoward the right-hand end of the suction head 52, as viewed in FIG. 4.The ports in the six foremost panels 57 of the suction head 52 can bedisconnected from the suction-generating device (conduit 59) by a set ofshutoff valves or disconnecting valves 61 and the channels and ports inthe six rearmost panels 57 can be disconnected from the conduit 59 by asingle shutoff valve or disconnecting valve 62. Thus, when the suctionhead 52 is to accumulate or collect a row of 84 cigarettes, each flute58 is ready to accept a cigarette 60; however, if the suction head is tocollect a row of 72 cigarettes, the two outermost sets of six flutes 58each are inactive so that only the remaining median flutes can acceptcigarettes from the belts 51.

The drive means for moving the suction head 52 comprises two bearingmembers 63 which are slidable along two spaced parallel horizontal guiderods 64. so that the suction head can be transported from a firstposition (shown in FIG. 3 by solid lines) in which it is located aboveand is closely adjacent to the upper stretches of belts 51 to anintermediate position (shown in FIG. 3 by phantom lines, as at 52 inwhich it is still located above but is more distant from the belts 51,thereupon to a second position 52" in which it is located above theplatforms 53, and finally back to the first position by way oftheintermediate position 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the supply conveyor(including the belts 51) and the subdividing unit (including theplatforms 53) are mounted side by side so that the suction head 52 canmove from registry with the belts 5] into registry with the platforms 53or vice versa by traveling along the guide rods 64.

The pusher 54 is elongated and is turnable on a horizontal pivot member65 which is normal to the guide rods 64. The pivot member 65 is mountedin bearing brackets 66 carried by the housing of the suction head 52. Acam 67 is mounted on a horizontal rod 68 and is turnable thereon underor against the opposition of one or more torsion springs. The springstend to maintain the cam 67 in a position in which the latter holds thepusher 54 in an operative position, i.e., the pusher 54 is then ready totransfer 12 layers of cigarettes 60 from the subdividing unit. I

Each of the platforms 53 comprises six flutes 69 and each supportingmember further comprises an auxiliary flute 72 provided in a supportingelement 7! which is pivotally connected to the respective platform. Thesupporting elements H are biased by springs (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4)which tend to maintain such supporting elements in operative positionscorresponding to that shown for the rightmost element 7] of FIG. 4. Insuch operative positions, the elements 71 maintain their flutes 72 inparallelism with and at the level of flutes 69 in the top faces ofcorresponding platforms 53. When the supporting elements 71 are causedto move to inoperative positions (see the remaining three elements 71 ofFIG. 4) the platforms 53 can be moved nearer to each other to form ashortened subdividing unit which can accept 72 cigarettes from thesuction head 52. The displacing means for moving the platforms 53sideways, i.e., toward and away from each other, comprisesmotion-transmitting members 73.

Each tray 55 comprises a plurality of horizontal partitions 76 andvertical partitions which together define several superimposedhorizontal rows of compartments 74. Each such compartment canaccommodate a block of 20 cigarettes. The tray 55 is lowered stepwise ina manner as disclosed, for exam ple, in the aforementioned copendingapplication Ser. No. 559,538 of Schubert.

The apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 is operated in the following way: Theupper stretches of belts 51 advance a continuous series of cigarettes 60sideways and the suction head 52 accepts such cigarettes by lifting themseriatim into successive flutes 58 of its sections or panels 57. Thevalves 6I, 62 are inoperative so that each flute 58 can receive acigarette 60 whereby the suction head 52 (in the solid-line position ofFIG. 3) accumulates a row or large group of 84- cigarcttcs. Asignalgenerating device 199 (FIG. ll)sends an impulse when the last orrearmost flute 58 receives a cigarette 60, and such impulse is used toactuate the drive for moving the suction head 52 from the solid-lineposition to the intermediate position 52' of FIG. 3 and thereupon alongthe guide rods 64 to the second position 52". When the suction head 52reaches the second position 52", a valve 99 (FIG. 10) in the conduit 59disconnects the channels and ports of the panels 57 from thesuctiongenerating device so that the row of 84 cigarettes descends bygravity and such cigarettes come to rest in the flutes 69 and auxiliaryflutes 72 of the subdividing unit. When the suction head 52 carries arow of 84 cigarettes, the supporting elements 71 are held in operativepositions and the platforms 53 then assume such positions with referenceto each other that each of the 84 flutes 58 registers with one of theflutes 69 or 72 when the suction head 52 reaches the second position52".

The suction head 52 then returns to the intermediate position 52 and tothe solid-line first position of FIG. 3 so that it can accept a secondrow which contains 84 or 72 cigarettes. When the suction head moves fromthe second position 52" to the intermediate position 52, the cam 67maintains the pusher 54 in a raised position so that the latter cannotengage cigarettes which rest in the flutes 69 and 72. At the same time,the motion-transmitting members 73 cause the platforms 53 to move awayfrom each other, preferably to both sides of an imaginary centralvertical symmetry plane of the subdividing unit between the sixth andseventh platforms, while the supporting elements 71 remain in operativepositions. The gaps between the platforms 53 should be wide enough to atleast equal the thickness of a vertical partition 75 in the tray 55. Thedisplacement of platforms 53 byway of the motion-transmitting members 73results in conversion of a long row of 84 cigarettes into l2 layers orsmaller groups of seven cigarettes each, and each such a layer registerswith a compartment 74 in the adjoining row of compartments defined bythe partitions 75, 76.

While the suction head 52 moves from the second position 52" to thesolid-line first position of FIG. 3, or not later than when the suctionhead reaches such first position, the valves 61, 62 are caused todisconnect the channels and/or ports of the corresponding panels 57 fromthe suction conduit 59 so that only the median flutes 58 are ready toaccept cigarettes from the belts 51. Thus, the number of flutes 58 whichcan accept cigarettes is reduced to 72. When the suction head 52 accepts72 cigarettes, it is moved first to the first to the intermediateposition 52 and thereupon to the second position 52 whereby the pusher54 automatically transfers l2 layers of six cigarettes each from theplatforms 53 and supporting elements 71 into the registeringcompartments 74 of the tray 55. Such transfer is completed when thepusher 54 reaches the position 54" shown in FIG. 3. Themotion-transmitting members 73 cause the platforms 53 to move nearer toeach other and to move the supporting elements 71 to inoperativepositions before the suction head 52 (in the second position 52 iscaused to release the row of 72 cigarettes. Thus, the auxiliary flutes72 are then out of position so that the subdividing unit can accept onlyshort layers of six cigarettes each, each cigarette coming to rest inone ofthe flutes 69.

While the suction head 52 thereupon returns to the solidline firstposition of FIG. 3, the cam 67 lifts the pusher 54 to prevent leftwardaxial displacement of cigarettes in the flutes 69 and the members 73cause the platforms 53 to move apart so that each layer of sixcigarettes each registers with one of the partially filed compartments74 in the tray 55. The tray is caused to descend by a step and to movesideways by a distance approximating the radius of a cigarette so thatthe cigarettes of layers in the flutes 69 are staggered with referenceto cigarettes in the layers which rest on the adjoining horizontalpartition 76 of the tray 55. Alternatively, such staggering ofcigarettes in the longer and shorter layers can be effected by themotion-transmitting members 73; the tray 55 is then simply caused tomove downwardly by a step and to come to rest in a position in which thelayers of six cigarettes each can enter the adjoining row ofcompartments 74 when the pusher 54 advances with the suction head 52toward the position 54".

The valves 61, 62 are moved to inoperative positions when the suctionhead 52 moves toward or assumes the solid-line first position of FIG. 3sothat the suction head is then ready to accumulate a row of 84cigarettes. This row is thereupon converted into 12 layers of sevencigarettes each and the pusher 54 transfers such layers into theadjoining compartments 74 to complete the formation of I2 blocks each ofwhich contains 20 cigarettes. The topmost layers of such blocks aretransferred into the cells 74 while the suction head 52 advances a layerof 84 cigarettes into registry with the platforms 53. When the cells 74are filled, i.e., when each such cell accommodates a block of 20cigarettes, the tray 55 is caused to descend through a somewhat greaterdistance so as to move the horizontal partition 76 above the freshlyfilled row of cells 74 to a level below the flutes 69 of the platforms53. The operation is then repeated in the above described manner untilthe entire tray 55 is filled with blocks of 20 cigarettes each. The thusfilled tray is then caused to descend below the platforms 53 and toprovide room for a fresh tray which is held ready at a level above thefilled tray. The aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 559,538of Schubert fully discloses the manner in which the trays can betransported toward, past and beyond the receiving station by anautomatic conveyor which can deliver filled trays to storage or to oneor more packing machines.

The subdividing unit of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises I2 subdividing memberseach of which comprises a main portion or platform 53 and a secondportion or supporting element 71. When the elements 71 are inoperative,i.e., when the flutes 69 of platforms 53 support 12 layers of sixcigarettes 60 each, the members 73 of the displacing means transmit tothe platforms 53 two movements, namely, a first movement to place eachplatform into registry with one of the compartments 74 and a secondmovement to stagger the cigarettes in the flutes 69 with reference tocigarettes in the layers which rest on the horizontal partition 76, Themembers 73 stagger the cigarettes in layers which are obtained onsubdivision of each third row of cigarettes in the flutes 58. Themovements of platforms 53 take place in directions at right angles totheir flutes 69, i.e., at right angles to the axes of cigarettes 60.

The longer rows of b 84 cigarettes each are assembled between spacedfirst and second portions of the collecting station, namely, betweenthose portions which accommodate the foremost and the rearmost flutes 58when the suction head 52 dwells in the solid-line first position of FIG.3. The shorter rows of 72 cigarettes each are assembled midway betweensuch spaced portions of the collecting station, i.e., in the seventh to78 the flutes 58.

The operation of displacing means for the platforms 53 is preferablycontrolled in such a way that the platforms of the left-hand set of sixplatforms (FIG. 4) move away from each other and from the right-hand setof six platforms when the layers of cigarettes are moved into registrywith the corresponding a compartments 74, and the platforms of therighthand set of six platforms also move away from each other and awayfrom the left-hand set of six platforms. The platforms 53 form a linewhich is parallel to the suction head 52 and is located directly belowthe flutes 58 when the suction head assumes the second position 52".

FIGS, 5 to 16 illustrate in full detail the apparatus which has beendescribed in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. The belts 51 of the supplyconveyor are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. These belts are trained over tworollers 77 (FIG. 7) which replace the roller 56 of FIG. 3 and overadditional guide rollers and diver rollers (not shown). The supplyconveyor operates continuously. The rollers 77 of FIG. 7 are mounted ona block 78 which is secured to a main frame 79. The block 78 furthersupports one end of an elongated plate 81 (FIG. I4) which is disposedbelow the upper stretches of the belts 51. The other end of the plate 81is mounted on a second block, not shown.

FIG. 14further shows a stop 82 which is provided on the plate 81 andextends upwardly between the upper stretches of the belts 51. The plate81 is formed with an opening 83 which is located upstream of the stop82, as considered in the direction of cigarette travel, and permitspassage of a second stop or abutment 84 here shown as a bellcrank leverpivotable on a bracket 85 which is mounted at the underside of the plate81. A second bracket 86 at the underside of the plate 81 supports anelectromagnet 88 and one end of a helical return spring 87 which biasesthe stop 84 in a counterclockwise direction so as to move the tip of thestop 84 to the phantom-line position of FIG. 14. The electromagnet 88has an armature 89 provided with a rounded heat 91 which can pivot thestop 84 in a clockwise direction to the solid-line position of FIG. 14when the electromagnet is energized. The conductors whichconnect theelectromagnet 88 in circuit with an energy source and switch means areshown at 92 and 93.

The collecting device or suction head 52 comprises a housing 94 (FIGS. 9to 13) which carries two parallel horizontal tie rods serving ascarriers for 84 panels or sections 57 which form a stack and are locatedin vertical planes. The panels 57 have registering cutouts or channels95 and ports or slits 96 each of which extends downwardly from therespective cutout 95to the corresponding flute 58. The cutouts 95together form a continuous channel which extends lengthwise of thehousing 94 and communicates with a flaring channel 97 (FIG.

9) in the housing 94. This channel 97 communicates with the intake endof the flexible conduit 59 which is connected to the forward end of thesuction head 52. The rear end of the chan- The conduit 59 contains asolenoid-operated valve 99 and is connected to a suction-generatingdevice here shown as a fan 101 (FIG. 9). The parts 59 and 101 constitutea retaining means for holding cigarettes 60 in the flutes 58 of thepanels or sections 57.

The bearing members 63 are adjacent to the forward and rear end of thesuction head 5 2 and are connected to the housing 94 by bolts or sescrews (FIGS. 9 and 11). The front bearing member 63 accommodates threerolls 103 which are mounted on shafts 102 and extend radially of one ofthe guide rods 64. The rear bearing member 63 has two rolls 103 mountedon parallel shafts 102 and arranged to track the other guide guide rod64. The rolls 103 reduce friction when the suction head 52 travels alongthe guide rods 64. One of these guide rods 64 is connected with twolinks 104, 105 (FIG. 6) which are rigid with a shaft 106. The latter isrotatable in the main frame 79 at one end and in a bearing block 107 atthe other end. The other rod 64 is fixed to two links 108, 109 (alsoshown in FIG. 6) which are affixed to a shaft 111. The latter isrotatable in the main frame 79 at one of its ends and in a bearing block112 at its other end. The shafts 106, 111 are respectively connectedwith levers 113, 114 which are articulately connected to a rod 115. Anabutment 116 is mounted on the rod adjacent to one of its ends (seeFIGS. 5 and 6) and this abutment is adapted to cooperate with a cushionor shock absorber 117 on the main frame 79. The other end of the rod 115carries a coupling member 118 which is articulately connected to afurther rod 119. The housing 94 is provided with an extension 121 whichis located at the front end of the suction head 52 (see FIG 6) and isarticulately connected with one end of a longitudinally adjustable rod122. The other end a of the rod 122 is connected to a lever by auniversal joint 123 (see the upper left-hand corner of FIG. 5 and FIG.7). The lever 125 is accommodated in a recess 124 of the frame 79 and isturnable on a pivot member 126. A pin 127 of the lever 125 is connectedto one end of a push rod 128 and the other end of this push rod isconnected to an eccentric pin 129 on a disc or wheel 131. The drive formoving the suction head 52 further comprises a gear motor. 132 (FIG. 5which is mounted in the main frame 79 and can drive a pinion 135 by wayof an electromagnetic clutch 133. The pinion 135 is mounted on theoutput shaft 134 of the clutch 133 and meshes with a gear 137 which ismounted on a shaft 136. The gear 137 meshes with a pinion 138. The ratioof teeth on the pinion 135, gear 137 and pinion 138 is one to three toone. These parts are mounted ina gearbox 139 which is attached to theunderside of a crosshead 141 in the main frame 79. The pinion 138 isaffixed to a shaft 142 which is journaled in the gearbox 139 and in acasing 143 which is affixed to the aforementioned crosshead 141. Thedisc 131 is affixed to the shaft 142 and is located to the left of thecasing 143, as viewed in FIG. 5. The shaft 142 further rotates adisc-shaped cam 144 which is accommodated in the casing 143 andcooperates with a follower 146 which is mounted on a lever 147. Thelatter is rigidly affixed to a vertical shaft 148 which is journaled inthecasing 143 and extends upwardly beyond the crosshead 141. The upperend of the vertical shaft 148 is rigidly connected to a lever 149 which.is articulately connected to a head provided on the aforementioned rod119 (see FIGS. 5, 6'and 13). The head 145 is further connected with oneend of a prestressed resilient element here shown as a helical spring130 the other end of which is attached to the main frame 79. The purposeof the head 145 is to cooperate with the armature 150 of anelectromagnet 140 (which is mounted in the frame 79) and to temporarilyblock the movement of the rod 119 and suction head 52. The electromagnet140 is shown in FIG. 13.

The gearbox 139 further accommodates a drum-shaped cam 151 which ismounted on the shaft 136 adjacent to the gear 137 and is provided withthree circumferential cam grooves 152, 153, 154. The shaft 136 extendsfrom the gear box 139 and through a bracket 155 (FIG. 5) which ismounted on the crosshead 141. The right-hand end of the shaft 136carries a disc-shaped actuating member or trip 156 which cooperates withthree equidistant electric switches 158, 159, mounted on the bracket 155(FIG. 16) and extending radially of the shaft 136. A fourth electricswitch is mounted between the switches 159, 16 0. The switch 158 has acontact 161, the switch 159 has two contacts 162, 163, the switch 160has a contact 164, and the switch 170 has a contact 180.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate the manner in which six outermost sections orpanels 157 at the front and the 79th section or panel 157 at the rearend of the suction head 52 can be disconnected from the retaining means59, [101, a when the suction head is to assemble a row of 72 cigarettes.The discrete shutoff valves or disconnecting valves 61 for the sixforemost sections or panels 157 are shown in are shown in FIG. 9. Thesix rear most panels (namely, five panels 57 and one panel 157 shown inFIG. 11) can be disconnected from the retaining means 59, 101 by asingle shutoff valve or disconnecting valve 62. Each valve 61 has anaperture 165 and the upper ends of all six valves 61 are suspended on abolt 166 which is suspended on a further bolt 167 by way of two pairslinks 168. The bolt 167 is mounted on two levers 169 (see particularlyFIG. 10) which are rigidly but adjustably clamped to a shaft 171. Therear valve 62 is suspended on a bolt 172 which in turn is suspended on abolt 174 by two pairs of links 173. The bolt 174 is mounted in twolevers 175 which are rigidly but adjustably clamped to theaforementioned shaft 171 for the levers 169. The shaft 171 is rotatablein two brackets 176, 177 provided on the housing 94 of the suction head52. The bracket 176 is provided with a retainer 178 (FIG. 10) for oneend of a prestressed helical spring 179 which tends to rotate the shaft171 in a clockwise direction and to thereby maintain the valves 61, 62in their inoperative positions. The shaft 171 is further rigidlyconnected to a link 181 (FIG. 13) which is articulately connected to thearmature of an electromagnet by way of two links 182 and pins 183, 184.The electromagnet 185 is mounted on a bracket 186 provided therefor onthe housing 94 of the suction head 52. A first conductor 187 connectsthe electromagnet 185 with one pole of an energy source, and a secondconductor 188 connects this electromagnet with the contact 162 of theswitch 159 (see FIG. 16). A third conductor 189 connects the contact 162with the other pole of the energy source. The contact 162 is furtherconnected with the conductor 92 of the: electromagnet 88 (see FIG. 14).The conductor 93 of the electromagnet 88 is connected to the one pole ofthe energy source. The second contact 163 of the switch 159 is connectedto the other pole of the energy source by a conductor 191. A conductor192 connects the contact 163 with the solenoid 198 of the valve 99 (FIG.9). The solenoid 198 is connected to the one pole of the energy sourceby a conductor 193. Still another conductor 194 connects the solenoid198 of the valve 99 with the contact 161 of the switch 158, and aconductor 196 connects this solenoid with the contact 164 of the' switch160. The switches 158, 160 are connected to the other pole of the energysource by conductors 195, 197.

FIG. 11 illustrates two signal generators 199, 201 which arerespectively adjacent to the rearmost panel 57 and to that panel 57which immediately precedes the shutoff valve 62. Each of these signalgenerators is a microswitch. The movable contact 202 of the switch 199is connected with a sensing pin 203 which extends into the port 96 ofthe rearmost panel 57. The movable contact 204 of the switch 201 isconnected to a second sensing pin 205 which extends into the port 96 ofthe corresponding panel 57, i.e., of that panel which precedes the panel157 for the valve 62. The switches 199, 201 are connected in series by aconductor 206. A further conductor 207 connects the switch 199 with onepole of the energy source and this conductor is connected with thecontact 180 of the switch 170 (FIG. 16) by way of a conductor 208. Thecontact 180 is connected with the conductor 206 by a conductor 209. Theswitch 201 is connected with the winding of a relay 212 by way of aconductor 211. The relay 212 has a contact 213 and its winding isfurther connected to the other pole of the energy source by a conductor214. The other pole of the energy source is connected to the contact 213of the relay 212 by a conductor 215. A conductor 216 connects thecontact 213 with the electromagnetic clutch 133 of FIG. 5. The latter isconnected to the one pole of the energy source by a conductor 217. Theconductor 211 has a branch conductor 218 which is connected to theelectromagnet 140 (FIG. 13), and this electromagnet is connected to theother pole of the energy source by a further conductor 219.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 13, the transfer member or pusher 54 ismounted on the housing 94 of the suction head 52. The pusher 54 ispivotable on a shaft 65 which is mounted in bearing brackets 66 on thehousing 94. The cam 67 for the pusher 54 is mounted on the rod 68 whichis carried by an arm 221. Two torsion springs 222 bias the cam 67 tooperative position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a reciprocable lid or closure 223 which can be movedbelow the six rearmost flutes 58 and is mounted. on a carriage 224 (seealso FIG. 15). This carriage is reciprocable on two rods 225 which areaffixed to a holder 226 secured to the main frame 79. The means forreciprocating the carriage 224 comprises a bar 227 one end of which isarticulately coupled to the carriage and whose other end is movablycoupled to a lever 228. This lever is fixed to a shaft 229 which isjournaled in the gearbox 139. A second lever 231 (FIG. is rigid with theshaft 229 at a level below the lever 228 and makes with the latter anangle of 180. This lever 231 carries a roller follower 232 which extendsinto the circumferential groove 154 of the cam 151 in the gearbox 139.

The displacing means for moving the platforms 53 of the supportingmembers in the subdividing unit with reference to each other is shown inFIGS. 5 to 8 and 13. Each platform 53 has two laterally extending outerprojections 233 and a median projection 234. The projections 233 serveas bearings for a pin 235 which carries the corresponding supportingelement 71. Each supporting element 71 has an arm 236 and is biased bytwo torsion springs 237 mounted on the pin 233 and tending to maintainthe element 71 in a position in which the arm 236 abuts against themedian projection 234. As explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4,each supporting element 71 has an auxiliary flute 72.

The motion-transmitting members 73 for the platforms 53 constitutelevers which are connected to the respective platforms by bolts 238 sothat each platform can turn on a bearing sleeve 240 carried by therespective bolt 238 (see particularly FIG. 13). Each platform 53 isfurther guided by two leaf springs 239 each having one of its endsconnected to the respective platform by a screw 241. The other ends ofthe leaf springs 239 are connected to a web 243 by way of screws 242.The web 243 forms part of a strip 244 which is secured to the crosshead141. The motion-transmitting levers 73 are fulcrumed on pivot members245, which are mounted in the crosshead 141, and rest on bearing sleeves246 each of which surrounds a portion of the respective pivot member245. The means for pivoting the levers 73 comprises rods 247 each ofwhich is connected to a common lever 248. The latter is rigid with aturntable 249 which is fixed to a vertical shaft 251 (FIG. 7). Thisshaft 251 is journaled in the gearbox 139 and in the head 252 of afurther shaft 243 which is rotatable in brackets 254, 255 of thegearbox. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a lever 256 which is rigid with the shaft251 and carries a roller follower 257 extending into the groove 152 ofthe cam 151. The head 252 of the shaft 253 is fixed to a further lever259 by screws 258, and the lever 259 carries as a roller follower 261extending into the groove 153 of the cam 151.

FIG. 6 illustrates a charger or tray 55 which is held in receivingposition and is indicated by phantom lines. The numeral 262 denotes atoothed wheel which forms part ofa drive for moving the tray 55stepwise. As stated before the details of the mechanism which cantransport a series of trays 55 past the receiving station is disclosedin the copending application Ser. No. 559,538 of Schubert.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 16 is as follows:

It is assumed that the apparatus is in operation and that the motor 132drives the input shaft of the clutch 133. The apparatus has justcompleted the formation ofa row of 12 blocks or arrays each of whichcomprises 20 cigarettes 60 in customary distribution, namely, two outerlayers of seven cigarettes each and a median layer of six cigarettes.The cigarettes of the median layer are staggered wt with reference tothe cigarettes of the corresponding outer layers.

The belts 51 of the supply conveyor deliver a series of cigarettes 60sideways but in random distribution, i.e., the spacing betweensuccessive cigarettes can but need not be the same. Such cigarettes arereceived from one or more rod cigarette machines and have undergone oneor more tests. All defective cigarettes were ejected or otherwiseremoved prior to or during travel with the belts 51 so that eachcigarette which reaches the suction head 52 is satisfactory and is readyto be packed. The foremost cigarette of the series on the belts 51 canreach the stop 82 on the plate 81 shown in FIG. 14 and the nextfollowing cigarettes are arrested by abutting against the precedingcigarettes. At the same time, suction in the ports 96 of the panels 57and 157 causes the cigarettes 60 to enter the flutes 58 beginning at thefront end of the housing 94 whereby such flutes receive successivecigarettes starting with the cigarette which reaches the stop 82 andcontinuing backwards, i.e., toward and beyond thecutout 83 of the plate81. The assembly ofa row is terminated when the suction head 52 carries84 cigarettes. The closure or lid 223 of FIG. 11 is located in retractedposition so that it cannot interfere with entry of cigarettes 60 intothe six rearmost flutes 58. The shutoff valves 61, 62 are maintained intheir raised or inoperative positions shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 so that theports 96 of all panels 57 and 157 are in communication with the suctionconduit 59. The valves 61, 62 are maintained in such inoperativepositions by the spring 179 which acts between the parts 176, 169 shownin FIG. 10. The second stop 84 (FIG. 14) is held in the retracted(phantom-line) position so that it cannot interfere with travel ofcigarettes 60 toward the first stop 82. The means for holding thestop-84 in retracted position comprises the aforementioned spring 87.The electromagnet 88 is deenergized.

The switches 199, 201 of FIG. 11 are actuated when the correspondingflutes 58 accommodate cigarettes because such cigarettes displace thesensing pins 203', 205. These switches then complete the circuits of theelectromagnet 140 and electromagnetic clutch 133 (by way of the relay212). The electromagnet 140 attracts its armature 150 which releases thehead 145 of the rod 119 whereby the latter moves under the bias of thespring 130 and moves the suction head 52 in a first direction (to thephantom-line position 52 of FIG. by way of the connection including theparts 118, 115,114, 111, 109, 108,64, 113, 106, 105, 104, 64. Thesuction head 52 thus lifts the freshly formed row of 84 cigarettes aboveand away from the upper stretches of belts 51. Since the electromagneticclutch 133 is energized, its output shaft 134 drives the pinion 135until the latter completes one full revolution. The pinion 135, drivesthe gear 137 and pinion 138 at the aforementioned ratio so that the cam151 and the actuating member 156 complete one-third of a revolution andthe cam 144 completes a full revolution. i

The cam 151 causes the push rod 128, lever 125and rod 122 to move thesuction head 52 from registrywith the belts 51 (FIG. 7) into registrywith the platforms 53 (FIG. 13). During such movement of the suctionhead 52 (from the position 52 of FIG. 3 or 5 to the position 52" of FIG.3), the pusher 54 engages and pivots the cam 67 againstthe opposition oftorsion springs 237. When the suction head 52 reaches the position 52",the actuating member 156 actuates the switch 159 to close the contacts162, 163. The electromagnet 88 is energized and movesthe tip of the stop84 upwardly to the solidline position of F IG. 14. The electromagnet 185is also energized and causes the'shaft 171 to turn against theoppositionof spring 179 (FIG. to move valves 61, 62 to operativepositions. The suction head 52is now ready to assemble a shorter row of72 cigarettes because the six foremost and six rearmost. flutes 58aredisconnected from the suction conduit 59. The ports 96 of median flutes58 are connected with the channel 97 by apertures 165 in the valves 61.

The solenoid 199 (FIG. 9) causes the valve 99 to disconnect the conduit59 from the fan 101 and to connect this conduit with the atmosphere fora short period of time so that the row of 84 cigarettes descends fromthe flutes 58 into the flutes 69, 72.0f the platforms 53 and supportingmembers 71. During such descent of cigarettes into the flutes 69, 72,the groove 152 of the cam 151 in the gear box 139 maintains the plat,-forms 53 in the positions shown in FIG. 5 through the intermediary ofroller follower 257, lever 256, shaft 251, turntable 249, lever 248,levers 247 and motion-transmitting levers 73. The supporting elements 71are held in vertical planes to the right of the respective platforms 53as viewedin FIG. 5. When the transfer of cigarettes into the flutes 69and 72 is completed, the cam groove 152 causes the parts 256, 251, 249,248, 247, 73 to move the platforms 53 along the respective pairs of leafsprings 239and away from each other so that the adjoining platforms areseparated from each other by gaps whose width approximates or slightlyexceeds the thickness of a vertical partition 75 in the tray 55. Inother words, the platforms 53 and the supporting elements 71 convert therow of 84 cigarettes into 12 layers of seven cigarettes each and eachsuch layer registers with a compartment 74 in the tray 55.

While the cam 151 causes the platforms 53 to move away from each other,the suction head 52 returns to the position 52' under the action ofparts 131, 128, 125, 122 whereby the cam 67 pit pivots the pusher 54upwardly so that the latter can bypass the cigarettes in the flutes 69and 72. The cam 144 thereupon causes the suction head 52 to descendfromthe position 52 toward the upper stretches of thebelts 51. Suchmovement is transmitted to the suction head 52 by way of the parts 147,148, 149, 119, 118, 115, 114, 111, 109, 108, 64, 103, 106,105, 104.

The sensing pins 203, 205 are free to descend as soon as the transfer ofa row of 84 cigarettes from. the flutes 58. is completed so that theswitches 199, 201 open and the electromagnets 88, 140 are deenergized.Thus, the stop 84 is withdrawn to the phantom-line position of FIG. 14by the spring 87 and the clutch 133 is deenergized. The armature 150 ofthe electromagnet 140 engages the head 145 of the rod 119 to blockmovement of the suction head 52 from the solid-line.

first position of FIG. 5. The head 145 is. returned into requisiteposition of engagement with the armature 150 by the cam 144 against theopposition of the spring 130 so that the latter stores energy.

While the suction head 52 accumulates a shorter row of 72 cigarettes(beginning with the foremost cigarette which comes into abutment withthe tip of the stop 84 shown in FIG. 14), the platforms 53 remains inspaced apart positions and support 12 layers of seven cigarettes each.This completes the first stage of a complete cycle which is necessary toassemble 12 blocks of cigarettes each. The suction head 52 begins tolift cigarettes 60 off the belts 51 as soon as it returns to thesolid-line position of FIG. 5 because the valve 99 establishescommunication between the conduit 59 and suction fan 10] (FIG. 9)immediately or shortly after completion of the delivery of cigarettesinto the flutes 69 and 72. As a matter of fact, the suction head 52 canstart the accumulation ofa fresh? row of cigarettes while it movesdownwardly from the position 52 toward the solid-line position of FIG.5. The valves 61, 62 seal the six foremost and the six rearmost flutes58 from the suction conduit 59. Also, the lid 223 is shifted tooperative position and extends below the six rearmost flutes 58. Suchmovement of the lid 223 to operative or overlapping position is effectedby the gear 137 which has completed angular displacement of the cam 151through one-third of a revolution so that the follower 232 in the groove154 of the cam 151 has caused the lever 231, shaft 229, lever 228, bar227 and carriage 224 to shift the lid 223 to operative position. Theprovision of the lid 223 is a safety measure, i.e., this lid insuresthat the last six flutes 58 cannot receive cigarettes when the suctionhead 52 is to assemble a shorter row of 72 cigarettes.

When theassembly of a row of 72 cigarettes is completed, the lastcigarette displaces the sensing pin 205 (FIG. 11) to actuate the switch201. The switch 199 is bridged by the switch 170 and conductors 208,209. The switch 170 was actuated by the member 156 on the shaft 136during the preceding stage of the cycle at the time when the suctionhead 52 returned to the position 52. The gear 137 is at a standstillwhile the suction head 52 moves from the position 52' to the solid-lineposh tion of FIG. 5 and while the suction head accumulates a row of 72cigarettes, i.e., the switch 170 remains engaged by the lobe of theactuating member 156. The contact 180 of the switch 170 is closed andthe switch 199 is bridged so that actuation of the switch 201 by thesensing pin 205 suffices to energize the electromagnet and the relay212. The head of the rod 119 is disengaged from the armature of theelectromagnet 140 and the relay 212 energized energizes theelectromagnetic clutch 133. The spring 130 is effective to rapidly movethe suction head 52 from the solid-line position to the phantomlineposition 52' of FIG. 5 and the output shaft 134 of the clutch 133rotates the pinion 135 through one full revolution. The motor 132 drivesthe input shaft of the clutch 133 without interruption. Rotation of theoutput shaft 134 results in displacement of the suction head 52 from theposition 52' into registry with the platforms 53 whereby the pusher 54moves the 12 layers of seven cigarettes each lengthwise of therespective flutes 69 and 72 to transfer such layers into the adjoiningcells 74 of the tray 55. When the movement of the suction head 52 intoregistry with the platforms 53 is completed (position 52" in FIG. 3),the groove 152 of the cam 151 causes the platforms to move toward eachother and to simultaneously pivot the supporting elements 71 below therespective platforms so that the flutes 69 (but not the auxiliary flutes72) are ready to receive the row of 72 cigarettes from the median flutes58 of the suctionhead 52. The platforms 53 are caused to move sidewaysby a distance corresponding to the radius of a cigarette 60 before orafter they receive the row of 72 cigarettes from the suction head. Suchsidewisc movement is outer layers.

The wheel 266 causes the tray 55 to descend by a step before the pusher54 transfers the layers of six cigarettes each into the cells 74. Whenthe suction head 52 (with a row of 72 cigarettes) reaches the position(52") of registry with the platforms 53, i.e., when the transfer of 12layers of seven cigarettes each into the compartments 74 is completed,the actuating member 156 of the shaft 136 actuates the switch 160 tochange the condition of the valve 99 which admits air into the conduit59 and causes the cigarettes to descend into the flutes 69 of theplatforms 53 Immediately upon completion of such transfer, the groove152 of the cam 151 causes the parts 256, 251, 249, 248, 247, 73 to movethe platforms 53 away from each other substantially in the same way asdescribed before but with the single exception that the groove 153 ofthe cam 151 causes the causes the parts 261, 259, 252, to shift theplatforms 53 sideways by a distance corresponding to the radius of acigarette 60 to insure the aforementioned staggering of cigarettes inthe median layers of blocks in the compartments 74. This is achieved bychanging the position of the pivot axis of the lever 248 (see FIG. 6)with reference to the longitudinal axis of this lever. The platforms 53then complete the conversion of a row of 72 cigarettes into 12 layers ofsix cigarettes each. Such layers remain in the respective flutes 69until the pusher 54 performs a fresh working stroke by moving with thehousing 94 while the suction head 52 moves in a second direction fromthe position 52' toward the position 52".

While the platforms 53 move apart to break up the row of 72 cigarettesinto 12 short layers of six cigarettes each, the shaft 142 continues torotate and the disc 131 causes the the suction head 52 to return to theposition 52', i.e., into registry with the belts 51. During suchmovement of the suction head, the cam 67 pivots the pusher 54 so thatthe latter bypasses the layers of cigarettes in the flutes 69. Thesuction head then moves from the position 52 to the solid-line positionof F IG. 5 because the cam 144 continues to rotate. The shaft 136 causesthe groove 154 of the earn 151 to return the lid 223 to the inoperativeposition of FIG. 11 so that the suction head is ready to accumulate arow of 84 cigarettes.

The next-following stage of the cycle corresponds to the aforesaidaforedescribed first stage. The sole difference is that the release of acomplete row of 84 cigarettes is effected by the switch 158. While thesuction head 52 moves from the position 52' toward the position 52", thepusher 54 transfers the previously assembled 12 layers of six cigaretteseach into the registering compartments 74 of the tray 55 whereby thecigarettes of each layer of six cigarettes are staggered with referenceto cigarettes in the layers therebelow. The tray 55 is transported by astep due to rotation of the wheel 266 before the pusher 54 performs aworking stroke.

The 12 layers of seven cigarettes each which are formed by the platforms53 and the supporting elements 71 during the third stage of a completecycle remain in the flutes 69 and 72 until the pusher 54 performs aworking stroke during the first stage of the next-following cycle. Thecigarettes of such layers I are staggered with reference to thecigarettes of intermediate layers, i.e., each cigarette of a topmostlayer of seven cigarettes each is located in a common vertical planewith a cigarette of the corresponding bottom layer. This is thecustomary distribution of cigarettes in a block which is contained in acigarette pack having 20 cigarettes.

The suction head 52 continues to accumulate rows of 84 and 72 cigaretteseach, and such rows are broken up into layers in the aforedescribedmanner. When all compartments of a tray 55 are filled with cigarettes,the wheel 266 automatically moves the lowermost row of compartments 74in a fresh tray 55 into registry with the platforms 53 so that theformation of blocks can continue without any interruptions.

An important advantage of our method and apparatus is that the packingmachine or machines which receive blocks of cigarettes can operatewithout customary magazines which are the main source of frequentdisturbances in such machines. Conventional magazines normally comprisea series of vertical ducts wherein the cigarettes descend by gravity andfrom which blocks of cigarettes are expelled by rakelike pushers. If adeformed or otherwise damaged cigarette blocks a single duct, theoperation of the packing machine must be interrupted for a long intervalof time or the packing machine receives unsatisfactory blocks. I

The arrays or blocks which are assembled in the compartments 74 of thetrays 55 remain intact during transport to the packing machine ormachines so that such machines need not be provided with any means forstacking, arraying or otherwise grouping cigarettes in formations whichare necessary for introduction into envelopes or boxes. This reduces thelikelihood of damage to cigarettes, i.e., the cigarettes are treatedgently all the way from the rod cigarette machine or machines to thestation or ,stations where the blocks enter the envelopes or boxes.Still another important advantage of the improved method and apparatusis that a large number of blocks is formed during each working cycle sothat the apparatus can readily meet the needs of modern high-speedpacking machines.

A further advantage of the aforedescribed method and apparatus is thatthe cigarettes of rows which are assembled by the collecting device 2 or52 need not slide with reference to their supports (3 or 53, 71) whenthe rows are converted or broken up into layers of six or sevencigarettes each. This reduces the likelihood of deformation, smudgingand/or other damage to cigarette wrappers. Each row which is assembledby the device 2 or 52 is broken up without any remainder, i.e., thetotal number of cigarettes in layers on the supporting members 3 or 53,71 equals the number of cigarettes in a row formed by the collectingdevice.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

We claim:

1. A method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shapedarticles, comprising the steps of assembling rodshaped articles into asuccession of first groups of parallel articles at a first station;moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to asecond station; subdividing said first groups at the second station intoa plurality of second groups by moving portions of each first groupsubstantially at right angles to the axes of articles; transferring thesecond groups to a third station by moving the articles lengthwise; andassembling the second groups at said third station into blocks each ofwhich contains at least two second groups obtained by subdivision ofsuccessive first groups.

2. A method of as defined in claim 1, wherein said first groups consistof rows of parallel articles and wherein each such row comprises twooutermost articles, said subdividing step comprising moving the articlesof said rows sideways away from a point located substantially midwaybetween said outermost articles.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step ofstaggering the second groups obtained on subdivision of each n the firstgroup with reference to the second groups obtained on subdivision ofeach other first group by moving the corresponding articles sideways bya distance approximating the radius of an article.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said second groups aretransferred from the second station to the third station simultaneouslywith movement of first groups from the first station to the secondstation.

5. in an apparatus for forming blocks of cigarettes or analogousrod-shaped articles, a combination comprising a feed for supplyingarticles sideways along a predetermined path; collecting means arrangedto receive articles from said feed and to assemble such articles intofirst groups of articles;

subdividing means arranged to receive said first groups from thecollecting means and comprising a plurality of subdividing members eacharranged to support a portion of a first group so that such portionsform a plurality of second groups; displacing means for moving saidsupporting members with reference to each other so as to separate thesecond groups thereon; and transfer means for removing the thusseparated second groups from said supporting members. I

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said supporting membersare movable substantially at right angles to the axes of articlesthereon.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said supporting membersform a line including two sets of supporting members and wherein saiddisplacing means is arranged to move the supporting members of each setaway from each other and from the supporting members of the other set.

8. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising staggeringmeans for transmitting to said supporting members a second movement in adirection substantially at right angles to the axes of articles thereon.

9. A combination as defined in claim 5, whereinsaidisupporting membersare provided with parallel article-receiving flutes.

10. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein each of i saidsupporting members comprisesa main portion which is arranged to supporta predetermined number of articles and a second portion arranged tosupport a single article, and means for moving said second portionsbetween operative and inoperative positions in which said secondportions are respectively free to accept and are prevented fromaccepting articles from said collecting means.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said second portionsare mounted on and are pivotable with reference to the respective mainportions.

12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said mainportions is provided with a plurality of parallel article-receivingflutes and wherein each of said second portions is provided with asingle article-receiving flute parallel to the flutes of the respectivemain portion, said means for moving said second portions'with referenceto the respective main portions comprising means for biasing each ofsaid second portions to one of said positions thereof.

13. A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising movementwith reference to each other.

14. A combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said colguide meansforguiding said supporting members during V lecting means is movablebetween first and second positions in whichit respectively registerswith said feed and with said sub- 'means so as to remove second membersin responseto movement of said collecting means dividing means.

15. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said transfer means isoperatively connected with said collecting groups from said supportingfrom first to second position.

16. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said collecting meansis arranged to move. in two different directions during movement betweensaid first and second positions, and further comprising drive means formoving said collecting means.

17. A combination ad defined in claim 16, wherein said collecting meansis arranged to move upwardly and away from said feed and thereupon in asubstantially horizontal plane during movement from first to secondposition.

18. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said drive meanscomprises resilient means for moving said collecting means in one ofsaid directions. f

19. A combination as defined in claim 14, wherein said collecting meansis provided with a row of parallel article-receiving flutes and furthercomprising drive means for moving said collecting means between saidfirst and second positions in substantial parallelism with said flutes.

20. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting meanseomprises a suction head,

21. A combination as defined "I claim 5, wherein said collecting meanscomprises an endless suction conveyor.

22. In a method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shapedarticles, the steps of feeding a stream of articles sideways along apredetermined path; removing from the front end of the stream a firstpredetermined number of articles when the foremost article of the streamreaches a first predetermined point of said pathyarraying the thusremoved articles in the form of a'first row wherein the articles areparallel to and equidistant from each other; removing from the front endof the remainder of the stream a second predetermined number of articleswhen the foremost article of such remainder reaches a secondpredetermined point of said path; and arraying the thus removedarticlesin the form of a second row wherein the articles are parallel to andequidistant from each other.

23. In a method as defined in claim 22, wherein steps of removing saidsecond predetermined number of articles alternate with steps ofsuccessively removing two first predetermined numbers of articles andwherein the number of articles in each first row exceeds the numberofarticles in each second row.

1. A method of forming blocks of cigarettes or analogous rodshapedarticles, comprising the steps of assembling rod-shaped articles into asuccession of first groups of parallel articles at a first station;moving the resulting first groups seriatim from the first station to asecond station; subdividing said first groups at the second station intoa plurality of second groups by moving portions of each first groupsubstantially at right angles to the axes of articles; transferring thesecond groups to a third station by moving the articles lengthwise; andassembling the second groups at said third station into blocks each ofwhich contains at least two second groups obtained by subdivision ofsuccessive first groups.
 2. A method of as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first groups consist of rows of parallel articles and wherein eachsuch row comprises two outermost articles, said subdividing stepcomprising moving the articles of said rows sideways away from a pointlocated substantially midway between said outermost articles.
 3. Amethod as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of staggeringthe second groups obtained on subdivision of each n the first group withreference to the second groups obtained on subdivision of each otherfirst group by moving the corresponding articles sideways by a distanceapproximating the radius of an article.
 4. A method as defined in claim1, wherein said second groups are transferred from the second station tothe third station simultaneously with movement of first groups from thefirst station to the second station.
 5. In an apparatus for formingblocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, a combinationcomprising a feed for supplying articles sideways along a predeterminedpath; collecting means arranged to receive articles from said feed andto assemble such articles into first groups of articles; subdividingmeans arranged to receive said first groups from the collecting meansand comprising a plurality of subdividing members each arranged tosupport a portion of a first group so that such portions form aplurality of second groups; displacing means for moving said supportingmembers with reference to each other so as to separate the second groupsthereon; and transfer means for removing the thus separated secondgroups from said supporting members.
 6. A combination as defined inclaim 5, wherein said supporting members are movable substantially atright angles to the axes of articles thereon.
 7. A combination asdefined in claim 6, wherein said supporting members form a lineincluding two sets of supporting members and wherein said displacingmeans is arranged to move the supporting members of each set away fromeach other and from the supporting members of the other set.
 8. Acombination as defined in claim 5, further comprising staggering meansfor transmitting to said supporting members a second movement in adirection substantially at right angles to the axes of articles thereon.9. A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said supporting membersare provided with parallel article-receiving flutes.
 10. A combinationas defined in claim 5, wherein each of said supporting members comprisesa main portion which is arranged to support a predetermined number ofarticles and a second portion arranged to support a single article, andmeans for moving said second portions between operative and inoperativepositions In which said second portions are respectively free to acceptand are prevented from accepting articles from said collecting means.11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said second portionsare mounted on and are pivotable with reference to the respective mainportions.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein each of saidmain portions is provided with a plurality of parallel article-receivingflutes and wherein each of said second portions is provided with asingle article-receiving flute parallel to the flutes of the respectivemain portion, said means for moving said second portions with referenceto the respective main portions comprising means for biasing each ofsaid second portions to one of said positions thereof.
 13. A combinationas defined in claim 5, further comprising guide means for guiding saidsupporting members during movement with reference to each other.
 14. Acombination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting means ismovable between first and second positions in which it respectivelyregisters with said feed and with said subdividing means.
 15. Acombination as defined in claim 14, wherein said transfer means isoperatively connected with said collecting means so as to remove secondgroups from said supporting members in response to movement of saidcollecting means from first to second position.
 16. A combination asdefined in claim 14, wherein said collecting means is arranged to movein two different directions during movement between said first andsecond positions, and further comprising drive means for moving saidcollecting means.
 17. A combination ad defined in claim 16, wherein saidcollecting means is arranged to move upwardly and away from said feedand thereupon in a substantially horizontal plane during movement fromfirst to second position.
 18. A combination as defined in claim 16,wherein said drive means comprises resilient means for moving saidcollecting means in one of said directions.
 19. A combination as definedin claim 14, wherein said collecting means is provided with a row ofparallel article-receiving flutes and further comprising drive means formoving said collecting means between said first and second positions insubstantial parallelism with said flutes.
 20. A combination as definedin claim 5, wherein said collecting means comprises a suction head. 21.A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said collecting meanscomprises an endless suction conveyor.
 22. In a method of forming blocksof cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, the steps of feeding astream of articles sideways along a predetermined path; removing fromthe front end of the stream a first predetermined number of articleswhen the foremost article of the stream reaches a first predeterminedpoint of said path; arraying the thus removed articles in the form of afirst row wherein the articles are parallel to and equidistant from eachother; removing from the front end of the remainder of the stream asecond predetermined number of articles when the foremost article ofsuch remainder reaches a second predetermined point of said path; andarraying the thus removed articles in the form of a second row whereinthe articles are parallel to and equidistant from each other.
 23. In amethod as defined in claim 22, wherein steps of removing said secondpredetermined number of articles alternate with steps of successivelyremoving two first predetermined numbers of articles and wherein thenumber of articles in each first row exceeds the number of articles ineach second row.